Village of Westbury Trustee Alphonse Campbell was recently appointed by Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta to the newly formed Nassau County Correctional Center Board of Visitors. Campbell's appointment was one of three necessary to complete the five-member board, which will meet for the first time next month.

In the wake of the arrest of four corrections officers who were charged in federal court in the January beating death of an inmate at at the Nassau County Correctional Center, East Meadow, Gulotta hopes that a "pro-active" board of visitors will be instrumental in improving conditions at the facility.

According to Gulotta, one of the primary functions of the board will be to investigate, review and recommend action necessary in response to inmate complaints and grievances regarding the correctional center. The board will also advise the sheriff in developing programs for improving correctional center services and duties, and for coordinating the efforts of correctional center officials with respect to improving conditions of inmate care, treatment, safety, rehabilitation, recreation, training and education.

"This is an opportunity for those on the outside to really know what goes on on the inside," said Campbell, who will serve a three year term on the board without compensation.

Campbell, a graduate of Tuskegee University, with a master's degree from Hofstra University, and a master's of education in administration from Teachers College at Columbia University has more than 30 years experience in the field of education. "I am committed to dealing with the social ills of our society," said Campbell, who has been involved regionally in organized efforts to combat anti-Semitism, racism and social injustice.

Other members of the Board of Visitors include Len Llewellyn, Dr. Robert Blume, Brian Noone and Manuel Mendoza.

Llewellyn is a NYS certified code enforcement officer who posesses more than three decades of experience in the finance industry.

Dr. Blume is a credentialed expert in the fields of psychology and social welfare. He holds a master's degree in psychology and is currently an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at SUNY Stony Brook.

Noone is a government executive with 28 years of federal law enforcement experience. He has served in the FBI-DEA Organized Crime Task Force.

Mendoza is a doctor of chiropractic medicine. He holds a bachelor of science degree in biology and Spanish.

"We have brought together outstanding talent in the fields of law enforcement, education, psychology, finance and medicine," said Gulotta. "These appointments will enable the board to scrutinize operation of the correctional center in an open atmosphere without jeopardizing security."

"I am really looking forward to serving on the board," Campbell said. "If I didn't think we could make a positive difference, I would be wasting my time."